Talks delay Anna Nicole Smith daughter Dannielynn custody case

UPI News Service, 04/13/2007

The custody case for Anna Nicole Smith's daughter was put on hold Friday in a Bahaman court, when it adjourned without issuing a decision.

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Larry Birkhead, who DNA tests confirmed fathered Smith's 7-month-old daughter Dannielynn, has been negotiating with Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, on a private custody arrangement, Entertainment Tonight reported. The judge said he would give the two time to work out a compromise before ruling.

Until the matter is resolved, the child remains in the Bahamas under the care of Howard K. Stern, listed as her father on the birth certificate. Stern said Birkhead has been visiting the child during the week.

"If it were up to me, the formal order in terms of giving Larry full custody would have occurred today," Stern said after the court session. "At least informally, the transition period has already begun."

John O'Quinn, Arthur's lawyer, told reporters his client and Birkhead would meet Saturday with "no lawyers, no press, nothing but two human beings to figure out what's in the best interest of the child."

Birkhead, who said he was unwilling to share custody, met with Arthur and their respective attorneys Thursday at her request.